Reading and writing machine



Dec. 3, 1946. w. P. TAYLO R; JR

' READING AND WRITING MACHINE Fil'ed July 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W H WAILTEI? R 770104.112

Dec. 3, 1946. w. P. TAYLOR, JR

READING AND WRITING MACHINE Filed July '7, 1942 a Sheets-Stlget 2 \omo: 000: :0 N

abbmmg Dec. 3, 1946. w. P. TAYLOR, JR 2,412,183

I READING AND WRITING MACHINE Filed July *7, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 5 14444 TEA 2' r4 nae, J17.

Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE'.

Walter P. Taylor, J12, New York, N'. Y. Application July 7, 1942, Serial No. 450,079

The invention relates to apparatus for embossing characters so as to be readable by touch and to devices for translating such characters into sound, as well as to tapes embossed with such characters. It is particularly intended for use by blind persons.

The usual type of matter intended to be read by the blind" is the well-known Braille. This, however, is somewhat complicated, and machines for writing it are very complex.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simplified system for useb'y the blind. More'especially, it contemplates the use ofa simple code composed of two types of symbols, such as the common Morse code. i

A second object'of the invention is to provide a simple and effective device for embossing such symbols on a tape or the like, particularly a device utilizing only two keys and a spacing member. It includes an arrangement by which both symbols are in the same line longitudinally of the tape, at least in part, so that the fingers of a reader moving along the tape need follow only this line to detect all of the symbols. The danger of missing some of the symbols is thus greatly reduced, and the ease and accuracy of reading are increased.

In this respect, the invention contemplates the use of two members arranged side by side in the direction of movement of the tape, with a mechanism for causing such members to emboss the successive symbols at proper intervals.

An additional object of the invention, in connection with such an embossing mechanism, is

the arrangement of the tape feeding mechanism in such a way as to clear the embossing at each stroke of the machine, this being preferably accomplished by arranging rollers on opposite side of and above the embossing anvil.

The invention further includes a device for reading a tape so printed. One object of this device is to provide an audible tone of difiering sound for each type of symbol, so that the listener can easily follow the message on the tape as it is fed through.

A further object of this device is to prevent the transmission of impulses to the sound emitting apparatus by creases or seams in the tape.

Still another object is to provide, in connection with the type of tape described above, having parts of all symbols in the same line longitudinally of the tape, parts actuated by projections in different horizonta1 lines, one of which is actuated by all thesymbols and the other by only one type of symbol; with such an arrange Claims. (01. ism-6.1)

ment that the actuation of one partpnly produces one sound tone while the actuation of both produces 'a distinguishable sound tone.-

An'other featureof the invention resides inthe completed tape itself, which has been described above.

Further objects and advantages of thisinvention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation with parts broken away an embossing device according to one em .bodimentof my invention;

Figs. 2- and 3 are cross sections generally along th lines'z-2'and 3--3 of-Fi-g.1;'

Fig. '4 is a detail of the spacing mechanism:

Figs fi and 6 showtwo types of tape embossed in accordance with-the invention;

Fig. 7 is an end view of a reading device-according to theinvention;

r Fig; 8 is a cross section on the line 8--8 of Fig.7;and'

Fig.9isatopplanviewthereof. l The embossing mechanism includes a-frame 2-. At the ends of theframe are blocks provided with guide channels 4 for a paper stripon which the embossing is to be done. Between these channels the paper passes over idling guide roller 6 and between guideroller-S and driving rollers l0. Between "these' two sets of rolls thepaper passes above an'anvil l2 having thereon dies or impression "blocks I4, I 6 for the two types of symbols. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 5', these are dots and dashes, with the dashes running transversely of the strip, but partlyin the same line longitudinally of the strip as the dots.

The movable printing. members are rods 18, 20 having recesses:mating with the projections of dies I4-and-l6. These rods are pivoted at 22 toguide-links 24 which are pivoted at 26 to the-machine frame. They are also pivoted at 28, 30 to levers 32,3 3, respectively. These levers are mounted'to turn freely on a rotatable shaft $5., Pawls .38, 40 on the two levers'en'gageable with ratchets-H, M- rigidwith shaft 36 cause the shaft to turncounterclockwise (Fig.1) whenever one ofthe levers turns counterclockwise, but allow the shaft to remain stationary when the levers'turn clockwise:

Rigid. on shaftfifi is a pinion .46 which meshes with a pinion 48 connected to paper driving roller l0, so as to move the-paper'to the left (Fig. 1) when the shaft 36 turns counterclockw e .1 i

The frame 2 carries-two upright posts 50 pro- 46. The movement of pawl 16 is limited by a pin,

and slot arrangement 18, and it is held against wheel 46 by a leaf spring 88. On the other end of lever I8 is pivoted a lever 82 movable from the dotted line position to the solid line position where it is held by a stop 84.

Mounted on blocks 56, 58 and on the frame are pairs of contacts 86, 88 connected to two electric buzzers 98, 92 of different tone by a suitable electric circuit. This mechanism operates as follows:

When the dot key 68 is depressed, roller 62 engages lever' 32 and moves it counterclockwise. Pawl 38 and ratchet 42 turn shaft 36 and drive roller I8, causing the tape to move forward one space. At the same time, printing rod I8 moves downwardly. Finally, rod I8 pushes the paper against die I4 and embosses a dot on the strip. As the rod I8 and lever 32 return upon release of the key, they have no effecton shaft 36 as pawl 38 runsidle.

If now dash key 6| is depressed, roller 64 en- I gages lever 34 and moves rod 28 to emboss a dash on the tape, preferably transversely. When the key 'is released, it moves up and lever 34 turns counterclockwise, and through pawl 48 and ratchet 44 turns shaft 36 and feeds the paper forward.

It will thus be noted that after each operation the blank space for receiving the next impression is above the rear die, in this case the dash die. If a dot is to be formed, this'blank space is fed forward before printing takes place into position over the dot die. For a dash. the space remains stationary until printing has taken place and is then fed forward.

It will also be noted that the plane joining the engaging points of the rollers which guide the tape is located above the tops of the dies. When feed roller I8 draws on the tape it thus pulls it up off the dies so that movement of the tape is not interfered with.

For spacing, the lever 82 is pushedto the right (Fig 1) which through pawl 16 turn roller I8 to advance the tape by one space.

If a check is desired on the symbols, switch 94 may be-closed and the operation of either key will produce an audible signal so that the user can detect an error in printing. This is-also an aid to learning the code and especially to learning to read with the reading mechanism.

The reading mechanism for such a tape is "shown in Figs. '7 to 9. The tape itself, shown in Fig; 5, in the preferred form has short symbols or dots and long symbols or dashes, the latter differing from" the dots by their greater length transversely of the tape, but lying partly in the same longitudinal line. Fig. 6 shows an alternativeform in which two dots transversely spaced are used instead of the dash, p The reading device has a frame I88. Feeding rollers I86 driven by a suitable motor I88 .and guide rollers H8 serve for moving the tape "through the machine from left to right in Fig. 8. 1

The tape is centered by further rollers H2 mounted to turn about vertical axes and is held flat to the platform by rollers H3 before passing under the feelers.

A shaft H4 is mounted above and transversely of the tape. On this are mounted single levers H6 and H8 and a double lever composed of two arms I28 on opposite sides of the single levers and a crosspiece I22. The levers H6 and H8 have noses l24 and I26, respectively; Nose I24 is in the line common to the dots and dashes. Nose I 26 is opposite the dashes only. Arm I28 have noses I28 which are clear of both the dots and dashes.

At its free end, lever II 6 has a laterally extending contact arm I38 electrically connected to a buzzer I32. Arm I I8 ha a contact I34, connected to a battery I36, in the path of contact I 38. Cross piece I22 carries a contact I38 in the path of contact I34 and connected to a second buzzer I48 of different tone.

The device operates as follows:

Whena dot passes beneath the feeler mechanism, it engages the nose I24 and raises the free end of lever I I 6 until contact I30 engages contact I34 and energizes buzzer I32. I

When a dash comes to the feelers, it engages both noses I24 and I 26 and. raises levers H6 and H8. Contact I34 engages contact I38 to sound buzzer I 48, while contact I38 closes no circuit because contact I34 has been moved from its normal-position. 1

, In'v making corrections, the tape is usually broken and repaired. If for this or for any other reason a crease occurs in the tape, it will engage all the noses and lift all the arms. .This will move contact I34'out of reach of contact I38'and will also move contact I38 out of reach of contact I34, so that no signal will be given. I

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood'that I do not intend to limit myself thereby, except within the scope of the appended claims.

I I claim:

1. A machine for embossing messages on a tape comprising a tape supplying device, dies located on one side of the tape path side by side in the direction of movement of the tape, embossing members mounted on the other side of the tape path for movement towards and from said dies. a shaft, levers pivotally mounted on said shaft and connected to said members, keys o-peratively connected to said levers to move the members towards the dies, means tomove the members away from the dies, means connected to said shaft to feed the tape, and one-way means connecting each lever to the shaft whereby movement of one of said members towards embossing position feeds the tape in one direction while movement of the other member away from embossing position feeds the tape in the same direction, that member which actuates the last mentioned means being intermediate the other-member and the tape supplying device. V

2. A machine for embossing messages on a'tape comprising a tape supplying device, means to guide the tape along a predetermined path, dies located on one side of the tape path side by side in the direction of movement of the tape embossing" members mounted on the other side of the tape path for movement towards and from said dies. a shaft, levers pivotally mounted on thev move the members towards the dies, means to move the members away from the dies, means connected to the shaft to feed the tape, ratchets on said shaft, and pawls carried by the levers engageable with said ratchets for connecting each lever to the shaft whereby movement of one of said members towards embossing position feeds the tape in one direction while movement of the other member away from embossing position feeds the tape in the same direction.

3. A machine for impressing messages on a tape comprising means to guide the tape, dies located on one side of the tape path side by side in the direction of movement of the tape, embossing members mounted on the other side of the tape path for movement towards and from said dies, a shaft, levers pivotally mounted on the shaft and extending on opposite sides thereof, means connecting one lever to each of said mem bers, keys operatively connected to said levers to move the members towards the dies, means to move the members away from the dies, a feed roll engageable with the tape to feed the same, a gear rigid with said roll, a second gear secured on said shaft meshing with the first gear, ratchets on said shaft, and pawls carried by the levers engageable with said ratchets for connecting each lever to the shaft whereby movement of one of said members towards embossing position feeds the tape in one direction while movement of the other member away from embossing position feeds the tape in the same direction.

4. A machine for embossing messages on a tape comprising means to guide the tape, dies located on one side of the tape path side by side in the direction of movement of the tape, embossing members mounted on the other side of the tape path for movement towards and from said dies, a shaft, levers pivotally mounted on the shaft and extending on opposite sides thereof, means connecting one lever to each of said members, movably mounted keys, rollers carried by said keys engageable with said levers to move the same to move said members towards the dies, means to move the members away from the dies, a feed roll engageable with the tape to feed the same, a gear rigid with said roll, a second gear secured on said shaft meshing with the first gear, ratchets on said shaft, and pawls carried by the levers engageable with said ratchets for connecting each lever to the shaft whereby movement of one of said members towards embossing position feeds the tape in one direction while movement of the other member away from embossing position feeds the tape in the same direction.

5. In a device as claimed in claim 4, spacing means comprising a third pivoted manually operable lever, a third pawl engaging said second gear, and means connecting said third pawl to said third lever.

WALTER P. TAYLOR, JR. 

